I'm so looking forward to your report on chocolate stores on your March trip. I've been researching chocolate stores for my May trip and have marked them on an old Paris map. Many, many stores in the 6th. How in the world to narrow them down?

I enjoy your blog and adventures so much and hope you're completely well now.

Carol's mentioning of you missing Paris almost brought tears to my eyes. I am so happy that you are going back, visiting not only your hometown, but Venice as well! Oh, the fun you'll have! I can see Carol crossing on the traghetti-gondola from the left bank to the right bank of Il Canale Grande and back again, showing you all the sights.

Rest up, Bear! You're not as young as you used to be, and Carol has big plans! LOVE your "bro"! And a big merci - when a friend was buying 2 baby gifts for her French cousins, I was able to certify that STRIPED onesies would be de rigeur!

NO traghetti-gondola for this girl, MERISI!Been there, done that on those narrow passenger boats lined up one by one.BEAR will have to go on his own - I'm sticking with the very large and comfortable vaporettos!!

BON ANNIVERSAIRE mon petit sweet Bear!! Je t'aime Monsieur Bear and would love to hug you!! Wishing you and your Maman a wonderful upcoming Bon Voyage and I so hope 'someone' locates your long lost frère and adopts him so you can both be together again!! How joyful that would be - I'm so excited for you both already just thinking about it :) and Carol, I'm very happy you're feeling better and able to make your journey once again, making everyones eyes, hearts and dreams come alive. GODSPEED sweetheart and many hugs for you both!!

BIG MERCI PBers!!!I ALWAYS stop at Le Select Rick!How could you suggest otherwise?What a good idea to bring home my Bro!!WHOA gotta think about that one...could be a lot of competition around the bear den though over honey pots etc...

I am so jealous that Bear has been to a macaron class! How wonderful to have such an adventure and only now be turning one. Please eat a chocolate bear for me while you are in Paris. Oh, that's for Carol. It just wouldn't be right for Bear to eat a bear. Of course, I wouldn't have any problem eating a chocolate person, and I'm a person, so if Bear wants to eat a chocolate bear . . .

I'm so excited that you & Bear will be in Venice before me. I'll be going inMay. Sooooooooooo I expect you and bear to find the best food, theshops not to miss, the best expresso, basically the best Venice has tooffer.Looking forward to hearing from you.Mary Jo

Whoops Mary Jo...I'm into the visuals more than vittles.I don't even drink expressoAnd I don't do 'best' this or that - so many others do it better.I'm into looking.Not to worry - it should stll be fun...I hope...as long as I don't fall into the canal :)